10 Easy Ways to Save Money & Energy in Your Home

Many homeowners who are unfamiliar with construction and wiring are timid when it comes to electrical work. It makes perfect sense to have a healthy respect for electricity—it can be dangerous if you don't understand it. www.HomeBossInspection.com www.FranchiseHomeBoss.com To give you confidence and a little knowledge to help you discuss electrical problems with an electrician, let’s explore how the service panel (or panel box) controls your home's electrical system. The Service Panel  After passing through the electric meter, the local electrical utility provides electricity to your house through the service panel (also called the distribution center). The panel, which is usually located in a garage, basement or utility room, distributes electricity through individual circuits that run throughout your house.  The service panel in most homes contains circuit breakers, which look like little switches. Older homes may contain fuses, but they serve the same purpose...

www.HomeBossInspection.com Ever wonder about your house number? Often, the previous owner installed the number and the new owner never had to think about it, leaving them clueless as to why it was placed where it is or why a particular color or size was chosen. These numbers are more important than you probably realize, and a lot of thought goes into making sure they are visible.  House numbers should be clear enough so that police, the fire department, paramedics, etc., can quickly locate properties in an emergency. Numbers are often the only way that first-responders can identify their intended destinations. Your city might even have laws requiring your house number to be of a certain size or color. Also, think of the poor pizza delivery guy who runs late because he can’t find your house, or frustrated party guests who have to knock on neighbors’ doors before they find yours.   Consider the following recommendations: The numbers should be large, within reason. Try t...

www.HomeBossInspection.com Septic systems treat and disperse relatively small volumes of wastewater from individual and small numbers of homes and commercial buildings. Septic system regulation is usually a state and local responsibility. The EPA provides information to homeowners and assistance to state and local governments to improve the management of septic systems to prevent failures that could harm human health and water quality.         Information for Homeowners If your septic tank failed, or you know someone whose did, you are not alone. As a homeowner, you are responsible for maintaining your septic system. Proper septic system maintenance will help keep your system from failing and will help maintain your investment in your home. Failing septic systems can contaminate the ground water that you and your neighbors drink and can pollute nearby rivers, lakes and coastal waters.  Ten simple steps you can take to keep your septic system ...

  www.HomeBossInspection.com There is perhaps no more appropriately named plumbing fixture in the whole world than the tankless water heater. No deception, no confusion: It’s a water heater that has no hot-water storage tank. So, where does the hot water come from? Good question! Tankless water heaters, while relatively new, are growing in popularity with both plumbing contractors and homeowners. These compact units are designed to provide hot water for the entire house—not just a single faucet—and are often called instantaneous, continuous-flow, or on-demand water heaters. Before getting into the specifics of tankless water heaters, let’s first take a look at standard water heaters. Storage-Tank Water Heaters Most homes have a standard water heater, which consists of a large cylindrical storage tank. Cold water is piped into the tank and electrical elements, or a gas-fired burner located inside the tank heats the water. An electronic thermostat allows you to control t...

Deadly Mistake #1: Thinking you can't afford it. Many people who thought that buying the home they wanted was simply out of their reach are now enjoying a new lifestyle in their very own homes. Buying a home is the smartest financial decision you will ever make.  In fact, most homeowners would be broke at retirement if it wasn't for one saving grace -- the equity in their homes.  Furthermore, tax allowances favor home ownership.  Real estate values have always risen steadily.  Of course, there are peaks and valleys, but the long-term trend is a consistent increase.  This means that every month when you make a mortgage payment, the amount that you owe on the home goes down and the value typically increases.  This "owe less, worth more" situation is called equity build-up and is the reason you can't afford not to buy. Even if you have little money for a down payment or credit problems, chances are that you can still buy that new h...

About 2.5 million children are injured or killed by hazards in the home each year. The good news is that many of these incidents can be prevented by using simple child-safety devices on the market today. Any safety device you buy should be sturdy enough to prevent injury to your child, yet easy for you to use. It's important to follow installation instructions carefully.  www.HomeBossInspection.com   In addition, if you have older children in the house, be sure they re-secure safety devices. Remember, too, that no device is completely childproof; determined youngsters have been known to disable them. You can childproof your home for a fraction of what it would cost to have a professional do it. And safety devices are easy to find. You can buy them at hardware stores, baby equipment shops, supermarkets, drug stores, home and linen stores, and through online and mail-order catalogues.    InterNACHI inspectors, too, should know what to tell clients who are co...

Indoor air quality is generally worse than most people believe, but there are things you can do about it.  www.HomeBossInspection.com   Some Quick Facts: Indoor air quality can be worse than that of outdoor air.  Problems can arise from moisture, insects, pets, appliances, radon, materials used in household products and furnishings, smoke, and other sources.  Effects range from minor annoyances to major health risks.  Remedies include ventilation, cleaning, moisture control, inspections, and following manufacturers' directions when using appliances and products. Research has shown that the quality of indoor air can be worse than that of outdoor air. Many homes are built or remodeled more tightly, without regard to the factors that assure fresh and healthy indoor air. Our homes today contain many furnishings, appliances and products that can affect indoor air quality.   Signs of indoor air quality problems include: unusual and no...